In its latest update, the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) reports that improved weather conditions have allowed for some on-water access to the MSC Baltic lll containership which has been grounded since February 15 in a remote cove on Newfoundland’s west coast after losing power.
“The tug and barge, contracted by MSC, were able to go alongside the MSC Baltic III to load some frac tanks and a containment boom onboard the vessel,” said the CCG. “The frac tanks will be used to store and offload the fuel.”
The salvage company continues equipment preparations for oil heating and transfer operations.
The containers containing the polymeric beads, which are considered dangerous goods, were removed from the vessel.
Land and on-water assessments of the MSC Baltic III continue with no pollution observed at this time, according to a March 21 CCG report. “However, there is still an on-going risk that pollution could enter the marine environment. Regular monitoring and assessments will continue until this incident is fully resolved.”
Priority is being given to removing the fuel and other potential contaminants aboard the vessel, which was transporting some 450 containers of food and other goods from Montreal. Still resting on the seabed, the ship’s hull has experienced significant damage. There is water in the cargo holds and the engine room and the vessel still cannot be safely refloated.
The fuel aboard the vessel has to be heated before it can be pumped from the tanks. Several salvage options are being examined, including loading the fuel and containers onto barges or also using an access road onshore. But the road requires serious upgrades to get the heavy equipment into the area by land.
(CCG photo showing barge alongside MSC Baltic)